# NTSB FTW78DPG07: Piper PA-28, N4531X, West Helena, AR, November 12, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: November 12, 1977
- Place: West Helena, AR · WEST HELENA, AR
- Location: 34.5507° N, 90.6418° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of West Helena, AR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5507&lon=-90.6418&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 6, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 144777
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW78DPG07
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78DPG07

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3370  77/11/12 NR.WEST HELENA,AR     PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  0  2  INSTRUCTIONAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 2240                    N4531X              PX-  0  0  0  DUAL                      AGE 57, 1257 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            12 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - THOMPSON-ROBBINS
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         WEST HELENA,AR               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: OTHER
           COLLIDED WITH: CROP                                      LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           DUAL STUDENT - MISUNDERSTANDING OF ORDERS OR INSTRUCTIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF FLIGHT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
           TERRAIN - HIGH VEGETATION
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - TOUCH AND GO LANDING
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- 1 TANK EMPTY.STUDENT INSTRUCTED TO SWITCH TANKS,FAILED TO DO SO.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4531X (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Thompson-Robbins

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19771112034609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19771112034609A), Nov 12, 1977: Piper PA28140, West Helena, AR, Substantial damage. 1 Tank empty. Student instructed to switch tanks,failed to do so.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.